Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 79742 on Railways: Mobile Broadband, by what date mainline trains will be fitted with Low Earth Orbit satellite technology.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Funding for LEO satellite technology becomes available in the new financial year 2026, at which point my officials will begin the implementation of this on trains.
The objective will be to complete all installations within 5 years from 2026/2027, and this is based on our experience of fitting all GB trains with on-train wifi between 2016 and 2020.
Asked by: Lewis Cocking (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the abolition of NHS England on the Neurology Transformation Programme.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England’s Neurology Transformation Programme will be concluding at the end of this financial year. By this time, we will have delivered all of the products, tools, and best practice guidance to support integrated care boards and local pathfinders to transform neurology services at a local level. Expert clinical advice and support will continue to be available during 2026/27 to support local transformation.
As we bring together the Department and NHS England to form a new joint centre, we will empower staff to focus on delivering better care for patients, including for people with neurological conditions, driving productivity up and getting waiting times down. By the end of the process, we estimate that these changes will save hundreds of millions of pounds a year, which will be reinvested in frontline services.
We continue to take forward the Government’s ambitious reform agenda as set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, which will deliver the three big shifts our National Health Service needs to be fit for the future: from hospital to community; from analogue to digital; and from sickness to prevention. All of these are relevant to improving neurological care for people in all parts of the country. More tests and scans delivered in the community, better joint working between services, and greater use of apps and wearable technology will all support people to manage their long-term conditions, including neurological conditions, closer to home.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that asset managers issuing tokenised investment funds implement robust cybersecurity measures.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy sets out a comprehensive ten-year plan to deliver growth and attract investment. Championing innovation is a key priority within this strategy, and the Government is working closely with industry stakeholders and regulators to remove barriers and unlock opportunities presented by new technologies.
Using distributed ledger technology to tokenise funds could support financial market efficiency by enabling more efficient, real-time data sharing which could lower operational costs and enhance resilience.
The Government has published its Wholesale Financial Markets Digital Strategy, which sets out the key steps the UK has to take to digitalise its financial markets, including through the tokenisation of assets. The Government is taking forward various measures in this space, in particular the Digital Securities Sandbox (DSS). The DSS provides a bespoke regulatory framework that enables firms to test, scale and roll out the tokenisation of securities.
Cyber security is a top priority for the Government, and HM Treasury works with the financial authorities, industry and with international partners to strengthen the financial sector’s resilience to threats and hazards of all origins, including cyber risks. This includes the Financial Conduct Authority, whose cyber security requirements mandate firms to have robust governance, effective systems and controls, and comprehensive incident management and business continuity plans.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the fintech sector, following reports that British firms secured half of the top 10 European fintech investment deals in the third quarter of 2025.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The UK is a world leader in Fintech, and attracted attracted $3.6 billion of investment in 2024, second only to the US.
The Government’s Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy set out a comprehensive package of reforms to preserve the UK’s leadership in this area. Measures include streamlining the regulatory environment, initiatives to support UK Fintechs to scale up, and steps to accelerate progress in Open Finance and Smart Data.
Asked by: Rupert Lowe (Independent - Great Yarmouth)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much his Department has spent on social media advertising by (a) influencer and (b) organisation in each of the last five financial years.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department for Science Innovation and Technology has spent money on social media advertising over the last five years. Sensitivities exist around aspects of this spend which could prejudice commercial interests. All spend in these areas are subject to the standard value for money assessments.Asked by: Gregory Stafford (Conservative - Farnham and Bordon)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Government plans to require banks to maintain (a) Post Office facilities, (b) local banking hubs and (c) alternative physical banking services such when branches are closed.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities, high streets and rural areas and is committed to championing sufficient access, including for older and digitally excluded customers. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK by the end of this Parliament. Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open.
While branch closures are commercial decisions for banks, Financial Conduct Authority guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place reasonable alternatives. This seeks to ensure that branch closures are implemented in a way that treats customers fairly. Firms are not able to close cash facilities, including bank branches, until any additional cash services identified as needed in the relevant assessment are available.
Customers can access everyday banking services in a range of ways that suit their needs. This includes telephone banking, digital channels such as mobile or online banking and in person via bank branches and banking hubs. This mix of options helps ensure that people, particularly those who are less digitally engaged, can continue to manage their money confidently and securely.
The Post Office plays a key role in supporting access to banking services. Under the Banking Framework, a commercial agreement between the Post Office and 30 banking firms, personal and business customers can withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. Decisions about what services are available at the Post Office, such as cheque deposits, are made by the banks as part of their commercial arrangements.
While there has been a decline in overall cheque volumes, they continue to be used by many individuals, charities and businesses. In addition to traditional deposit methods, cheques can also be deposited digitally via mobile apps using cheque imaging technology.
Beyond banking hubs and Post Office services, some banks provide further points of access through initiatives like pop-up services in libraries and community centres, or mobile banking vans serving remote areas. The Government supports these initiatives.
Asked by: Gregory Stafford (Conservative - Farnham and Bordon)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what measures are in place to protect older and non-digital customers from losing access to in-person banking following Lloyds Bank branch closures.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities, high streets and rural areas and is committed to championing sufficient access, including for older and digitally excluded customers. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK by the end of this Parliament. Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open.
While branch closures are commercial decisions for banks, Financial Conduct Authority guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place reasonable alternatives. This seeks to ensure that branch closures are implemented in a way that treats customers fairly. Firms are not able to close cash facilities, including bank branches, until any additional cash services identified as needed in the relevant assessment are available.
Customers can access everyday banking services in a range of ways that suit their needs. This includes telephone banking, digital channels such as mobile or online banking and in person via bank branches and banking hubs. This mix of options helps ensure that people, particularly those who are less digitally engaged, can continue to manage their money confidently and securely.
The Post Office plays a key role in supporting access to banking services. Under the Banking Framework, a commercial agreement between the Post Office and 30 banking firms, personal and business customers can withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. Decisions about what services are available at the Post Office, such as cheque deposits, are made by the banks as part of their commercial arrangements.
While there has been a decline in overall cheque volumes, they continue to be used by many individuals, charities and businesses. In addition to traditional deposit methods, cheques can also be deposited digitally via mobile apps using cheque imaging technology.
Beyond banking hubs and Post Office services, some banks provide further points of access through initiatives like pop-up services in libraries and community centres, or mobile banking vans serving remote areas. The Government supports these initiatives.
Asked by: Gregory Stafford (Conservative - Farnham and Bordon)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment the Government has made of the effect on rural and elderly populations of increasing reliance on online banking.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities, high streets and rural areas and is committed to championing sufficient access, including for older and digitally excluded customers. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK by the end of this Parliament. Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open.
While branch closures are commercial decisions for banks, Financial Conduct Authority guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place reasonable alternatives. This seeks to ensure that branch closures are implemented in a way that treats customers fairly. Firms are not able to close cash facilities, including bank branches, until any additional cash services identified as needed in the relevant assessment are available.
Customers can access everyday banking services in a range of ways that suit their needs. This includes telephone banking, digital channels such as mobile or online banking and in person via bank branches and banking hubs. This mix of options helps ensure that people, particularly those who are less digitally engaged, can continue to manage their money confidently and securely.
The Post Office plays a key role in supporting access to banking services. Under the Banking Framework, a commercial agreement between the Post Office and 30 banking firms, personal and business customers can withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. Decisions about what services are available at the Post Office, such as cheque deposits, are made by the banks as part of their commercial arrangements.
While there has been a decline in overall cheque volumes, they continue to be used by many individuals, charities and businesses. In addition to traditional deposit methods, cheques can also be deposited digitally via mobile apps using cheque imaging technology.
Beyond banking hubs and Post Office services, some banks provide further points of access through initiatives like pop-up services in libraries and community centres, or mobile banking vans serving remote areas. The Government supports these initiatives.
Asked by: Gregory Stafford (Conservative - Farnham and Bordon)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions the Government has had with Lloyds Bank on (a) the closure of branches in (i) Haslemere, (ii) Petersfield, and (iii) Godalming and (b) the effect of those closures on local communities.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities, high streets and rural areas and is committed to championing sufficient access, including for older and digitally excluded customers. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK by the end of this Parliament. Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open.
While branch closures are commercial decisions for banks, Financial Conduct Authority guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place reasonable alternatives. This seeks to ensure that branch closures are implemented in a way that treats customers fairly. Firms are not able to close cash facilities, including bank branches, until any additional cash services identified as needed in the relevant assessment are available.
Customers can access everyday banking services in a range of ways that suit their needs. This includes telephone banking, digital channels such as mobile or online banking and in person via bank branches and banking hubs. This mix of options helps ensure that people, particularly those who are less digitally engaged, can continue to manage their money confidently and securely.
The Post Office plays a key role in supporting access to banking services. Under the Banking Framework, a commercial agreement between the Post Office and 30 banking firms, personal and business customers can withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. Decisions about what services are available at the Post Office, such as cheque deposits, are made by the banks as part of their commercial arrangements.
While there has been a decline in overall cheque volumes, they continue to be used by many individuals, charities and businesses. In addition to traditional deposit methods, cheques can also be deposited digitally via mobile apps using cheque imaging technology.
Beyond banking hubs and Post Office services, some banks provide further points of access through initiatives like pop-up services in libraries and community centres, or mobile banking vans serving remote areas. The Government supports these initiatives.
Asked by: Gregory Stafford (Conservative - Farnham and Bordon)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government is taking to ensure continued access to (a) cheque deposits and (b) other essential banking services for customers affected by branch closures.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities, high streets and rural areas and is committed to championing sufficient access, including for older and digitally excluded customers. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK by the end of this Parliament. Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open.
While branch closures are commercial decisions for banks, Financial Conduct Authority guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place reasonable alternatives. This seeks to ensure that branch closures are implemented in a way that treats customers fairly. Firms are not able to close cash facilities, including bank branches, until any additional cash services identified as needed in the relevant assessment are available.
Customers can access everyday banking services in a range of ways that suit their needs. This includes telephone banking, digital channels such as mobile or online banking and in person via bank branches and banking hubs. This mix of options helps ensure that people, particularly those who are less digitally engaged, can continue to manage their money confidently and securely.
The Post Office plays a key role in supporting access to banking services. Under the Banking Framework, a commercial agreement between the Post Office and 30 banking firms, personal and business customers can withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. Decisions about what services are available at the Post Office, such as cheque deposits, are made by the banks as part of their commercial arrangements.
While there has been a decline in overall cheque volumes, they continue to be used by many individuals, charities and businesses. In addition to traditional deposit methods, cheques can also be deposited digitally via mobile apps using cheque imaging technology.
Beyond banking hubs and Post Office services, some banks provide further points of access through initiatives like pop-up services in libraries and community centres, or mobile banking vans serving remote areas. The Government supports these initiatives.